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Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-540, issue 1, Technical Requirements for Public Safety Broadband Systems in the Bands 758‑768 MHz and 788‑798 MHz, sets out the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the bands 758‑768 MHz and 788‑798 MHz by public safety broadband (PSB) systems.

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

1. Intent

This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) sets out the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the bands 758‑768 MHz and 788‑798 MHz by public safety broadband (PSB) systems.

This SRSP specifies the technical characteristics relating only to efficient spectrum usage, and is not to be regarded as a comprehensive specification for equipment design and/or selection.

2. General

This SRSP is based on current and planned technologies being considered by service provider(s) for implementing PSB systems in Canada. Revisions to this SRSP will be made as required.

While a system may satisfy the requirements of this SRSP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED or the Department) may require adjustments to radio and auxiliary equipment in radio stations whenever harmful interferenceFootnote 1 is caused to other radio stations or systems.

ISED should be advised when a potential conflict between radio systems cannot be resolved by the parties concerned. After consulting with these parties, the Department will determine what modifications need to be made and establish an implementation schedule for these modifications in order to resolve the conflict.

Statement of Intent
between the Federal Communications Commission of the United States of America
and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Related to the Sharing and Use of the Frequency Bands 758-768 and 788-798 MHz
by the [Public Safety] Mobile Service along the Canada-United States Border (forthcoming)

4. Spectrum availability and band plan

The block structure for PSB systems at 700 MHz is shown in figure 1 and table 1.

Figure 1: 700 MHz band plan

Description of figure 1

This figure shows spectrum designated for public safety broadband systems within the frequency band 746-806 MHz. This band is also used by commercial mobile service providers and public safety land mobile radio services.

The base station transmissions occur in the frequency range 758-768 MHz, while the corresponding mobile station transmissions occur in the frequency range 788-798 MHz.

In this diagram, commercial mobile service blocks C1 and C2 appear as the frequency bands 746-751 MHz and 751-756 MHz, respectively. Between block C2 and the public safety broadband (PSB) systems band 758-768 MHz, there lies a reserve block and a guard band of 1 MHz each, defined by the bands 756-757 MHz and 757-758 MHz, respectively. On the right side of the PSB systems band 758-768 MHz, there is the band for public safety narrowband services at 768-776 MHz. A reserve block is found at 776-777 MHz. Commercial mobile service blocks C1 and C2 appear as the frequency bands 777-782 MHz and 782-787 MHz, respectively. To the right of these blocks, there is a guard band of 1 MHz at 787-788 MHz. The PSB systems band 788-798 MHz is followed by public safety land mobile radio services in the band 798-806 MHz band.

Table 1: 700 MHz band frequency blocks

Total spectrum

Lower band

Upper band

20 MHz

758‑768 MHz

788‑798 MHz

Base station transmissions occur in the frequency range 758‑768 MHz. Transmissions from mobile and portableFootnote 3 occur in the frequency range 788‑798 MHz.

Spectrum in the bands 758‑768 MHz and 788‑798 MHz is designated for PSB use. Commercial use of unused capacity will be authorized provided that public safety users have priority and pre-emptive rights over any form of commercial use. Eligibility for licensing as well as pre-emption conditions will be specified in a forthcoming licensing framework.

Any technology used in the designated PSB spectrum must be capable of interoperability with other systems in the bands 758‑768 MHz and 788‑798 MHz both nationally and cross-border, consistent with “standards-based shared systems” as defined in RP-25, Policy Principles for Public Safety Radio Interoperability.

5. Technical criteria

5.1 Radiated power and antenna height limits

5.1.1 Fixed and base stations

For fixed and base stations transmitting in accordance with section 4 within the frequency range 758‑768 MHz with a channel bandwidth equal to or less than 1 MHz, the maximum permissible equivalent radiated power (e.r.p.) is 1000 W with an antenna height above average terrain (HAAT)Footnote 4 of up to 305 m.

For fixed and base stations transmitting in accordance with section 4 within the frequency range 758‑768 MHz with a channel bandwidth greater than 1 MHz, the maximum permissible e.r.p. is 1000 W/MHz (i.e. no more than 1000 W e.r.p. in any 1 MHz band segment) with an antenna HAAT of up to 305 m.

Fixed and base stations located in geographical areas at a distance greater than 26 km from large or medium population centresFootnote 5 and transmitting in accordance with section 4 within the frequency range 758‑768 MHz may increase their e.r.p. up to a maximum of 2000 W/MHz (i.e. no more than 2000 W e.r.p. in any 1 MHz band segment), with an antenna HAAT of up to 305 m.

Within 26 km of any large or medium population centre, fixed and base stations may operate at increased e.r.p. if more than 50% of the population within a particular sector’s coverage is located outside these large and medium population centres.

Fixed and base stations with increased e.r.p. must not be used to provide coverage to large and medium population centres. However, some incidental coverage of these large and medium population centres by stations with increased e.r.p. is permitted.

This provision also applies to fixed and base stations with a channel bandwidth equal to or less than 1 MHz (i.e. e.r.p. may be increased up to a maximum of 2000 W).

For all installations with an antenna HAAT of more than 305 m, a corresponding reduction in e.r.p. according to the following formula shall be applied:

e.r.p.reduction = 20log10(HAAT / 305) dB

5.1.2 Mobile and portable equipment

A wide array of equipment is expected to be supported by PSB systems. Mobile equipment, including mobile stations and portable repeaters that transmit in the band 788‑798 MHz, is limited to an e.r.p. of 30 W. Portable equipment in this band, including handheld devices, is allowed to transmit with a maximum e.r.p. of 3 W. The equipment should employ automatic transmit power control such that stations operate on the minimum required power.

5.2 Other criteria

5.2.1 Power measurement settings

The specified e.r.p. values in section 5.1 shall be measured during any continuous transmission time with a measurement instrument calibrated in terms of root-mean-square (rms) equivalent voltage.

If a fixed or base station is equipped with multiple antennas, the following rules regarding e.r.p. and antenna height shall apply.

5.2.2.1 e.r.p. for correlated transmission

When multiple antennas are used at a station to transmit the same digital data in a given symbol period (even with different coding or phase shifts) for transmit diversity, or to steer signal energy towards a particular direction for enhanced directional gain (i.e. beamforming) or to devise any other transmission mode where signals from different antennas are correlated, the e.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and resulting directional gain 10log10(N) + Gmax dBd. Here, N is the number of antennas and Gmax is the highest gain in dBd among all antennas.

5.2.2.2 e.r.p. for uncorrelated transmission

When multiple antennas are used at a station in which each antenna transmits different digital data during any given symbol period (i.e. space-time block codes) or independent parallel data stream over the same frequency bandwidth in order to increase data rates (i.e. spatial multiplexing), or from any other transmission mode where signals from different antennas are completely uncorrelated, the e.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and maximum antenna gain Gmax.

5.2.2.3 Antenna height

The antenna HAAT of a fixed or a base station with multiple antennas shall be calculated with reference to the highest antenna.

5.2.3 Transmitter unwanted emissions

6. General guidelines for the coexistence of systems operating in the same frequency blocks and in adjacent service areas

In the event that different licensees are authorized for a PSB system using the same frequency block in adjacent geographic service areas, coordination of any transmitter installations that are close to the boundary shall be required to eliminate any harmful interference that might exist and ensure continuance of equal access to the frequency block by both licensees.

Fixed or base stations must not generate a power flux density (pfd) outside the licensed service area that exceeds −116 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz, unless agreed otherwise by the affected licensee.

Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two PSB systems in adjacent geographic service areas may occur. The resolution of those conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved in a timely fashion, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, the Department will determine the necessary course of action.

System expansion measures, such as addition of cells, cell splitting and sectorization, must not force major changes in the system of the licensee in the adjacent geographic service area, except by mutual agreement between the affected parties. Changes that would have potential impacts on the other licensee, including cell site locations, cell sectorization and cell splitting, require consultation with the other licensee.

7. International coordination

Specific coordination rules and procedures for the sharing of the bands 758‑768 MHz and 788‑798 MHz between Canadian and U.S. licensees are under negotiation between ISED and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In the interim, the coordination requirements below should be applied.

Coordination of a new or modified station shall be required if the following conditions apply:

the station is located at a distance less than 120 km from Canada–United States border

the ground level pfd produced by the station in the other country’s territory exceeds −116 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz of the spectrum

The ground level pfd across the border shall not exceed −96 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz bandwidth unless otherwise accepted by the U.S. licensee and by ISED.

If a licence is transferred, assigned or reissued, ISED requires any existing agreement forming the basis for coordination to continue to apply with respect to the new licensee unless a new agreement is reached.

Canadian licensees are encouraged to enter into agreement(s) with the U.S. licensee to facilitate coordination. The Agreements should:

allow reasonable and timely development of the licensees’ respective systems

allow for the provision of services by licensees within their service areas on either side of the border to the maximum extent possible

utilize all available interference mitigation techniques, including antenna directivity, polarization, frequency offset, shielding, site selection and/or power control

continue to apply to any subordinate licensees or transferees

Licensees must retain all data and calculations related to the coordination of stations and/or Agreements and must provide the Department with such data and calculations, along with other supporting documentation, upon request.

Annex A — Coordination procedure near the Canada–United States border

When coordination with the U.S. licensee is required, Canadian licensees must complete the process outlined below.

The licensee seeking coordination shall determine the maximum power flux density (pfd) value at and beyond the border that could be produced by any single transmitting station. In making this determination (calculation), the licensee shall use sound engineering practices and generally accepted terrain sensitive propagation models.

The licensee must communicate with the affected U.S. licensee and either enter into an agreement as defined in the SRSP or provide the U.S. licensee with a coordination request.

The coordination request shall set out the following information and parameters:

The coordination request shall be sent by registered mail (or a mutually acceptable method) and shall provide notification that the recipient may respond by registered mail (or a mutually acceptable method) within 30 days of its receipt to state any objection to deployment of the proposed facilities. It should be noted that the date of postmark shall be taken as the date of response. If no objection is raised by the U.S. licensee within this time period, then the coordination process may be considered complete.

If the recipient of a coordination request raises an objection within 30 days of receipt of that request, the licensee shall collaborate to develop a mutually acceptable solution to the potential interference problem (an Agreement).

In the event that the Canadian licensee and the U.S. licensee cannot reach an Agreement within 30 days of receipt of an objection, the Canadian licensee may request that ISED facilitate resolution of the case with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States.

A station that requires coordination shall not be placed in operation until an Agreement has been reached between the relevant licensees or until ISED and the FCC have agreed on sharing terms.

In cases where there is no licensee within 120 km on the U.S. side of the border, no station of the proposed system in Canada shall produce a pfd at or beyond the border that exceeds −106 dBW/m2 in any 1 MHz bandwidth, unless otherwise agreed upon by both ISED and the FCC.

If the licensees cannot reach a mutually acceptable solution within 90 days of the start of the process, the Canadian licensee shall ensure that the transmit power of the relevant stations is reduced to meet −116 dBW/m2 within any 1 MHz pfd limit. Subsequently, the Canadian licensee may request that ISED facilitate a resolution of the case with the FCC.

Footnotes

Footnote 1

As defined in the Radiocommunication Act,
harmful interference means an adverse effect of electromagnetic
energy from any emission, radiation or induction that (a) endangers the use or
functioning of a safety-related radiocommunication system; or (b) significantly
degrades or obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts, the use or functioning of
radio apparatus or radio-sensitive equipment.

The antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) is the height of the
centre of radiation of the antenna above the average elevation of the terrain
between 3 and 16 km from the antenna, for an individual radial. The final antenna
HAAT (also known as the effective height
of the antenna above average terrain (EHAAT)) is the average of the antenna
HAATs for 8 radials spaced every 45 degrees of azimuth starting with true
north.

Population centres are defined in Statistics Canada Census
Dictionary. A large urban population centre is defined as an area with a
population of 100,000 or more and a population density of 400 persons or more
per square kilometre. A medium population centre is defined as an area with a
population between 30,000 and 99,999, and a population density of 400 persons
or more per square kilometre.

MapInfo files describing boundaries of these centres are available online.